One hatchery steelhead daily bag limit extended for the Snake River and tributaries

The one fish bag limit for steelhead on the Snake River and tributaries will be extended through the end of the year to reduce impacts on wild fish and ensure enough fish are available for broodstock. This restriction applies to the following streams and sections:

Snake River – From the state line with Washington to Hells Canyon Dam

Imnaha River – From the mouth to Big Sheep Creek

Big Sheep Creek – From the mouth to Little Sheep Creek

Grande Ronde River – From the state line With Washington to Meadow Creek

Catherine Creek – From the mouth to the Hwy. 203 bridge above Catherine Creek State Park

Wallowa River – From the mouth to Trout Creek

Wenaha River – From the mouth to Crooked Creek

Underperforming runs across the Columbia River Basin have prompted widespread regulations restricting steelhead harvest. Oregon, Washington, and Idaho reduced bag limits in September in the Snake River and tributaries to one (1) hatchery steelhead. For Oregon, the regulations were set to expire at the end of October but steelhead numbers have not proven strong enough to increase bag limits. Therefore, the reduced bag limit will continue through the end of the year.

“Steelhead and salmon runs have been an overall disappointment this year but, we feel we can still offer some opportunity while meeting broodstock requirements and reducing impacts on wild fish,” said Kyle Bratcher, Acting District Fish Biologist in Enterprise. “Low densities of fish in the river will generally reduce interactions with wild fish but this regulation takes it a step further by reducing fishing effort as fish are caught.”

With Snake River Steelhead, crossing Lower Granite Dam at less than 35 percent of the 10-year average, biologists will be sure to monitor the steelhead numbers and harvest to implement management actions as needed.

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